YASMIN TELLS

Sunday, 3 May 2020

In this episode of the podcast, Yasmine and I discuss faith
and religion in Sierra Leone. Did you know that Sierra Leone is one of the most
religiously tolerant countries in the world? Within this episode we discuss
multi faith households, our individual beliefs, religious education in Sierra
Leone and more. Check out the episode here.

Sunday, 19 April 2020

In the most recent episode of the podcast I co-host out here in Freetown, Sierra Leone. We had the opportunity to meet and discuss with South African visual artist and photographer Trevor Stuurman during his visit to Sierra Leone last month. We touch on his story, the creative scene, travel in Africa and more. Enjoy the episode here.

Saturday, 11 April 2020

Hey all,
I'm back with a new video, another Salone Scoop which was recorded before we had any confirmed cases of COVID19 here in Sierra Leone. Please make sure you are staying safe during this time.
I hope you enjoyed the fourth Salone Scoop!

Thursday, 2 April 2020

We are back with a brand new podcast episode, where we discuss the current times in episode 22 ‘Uncle Coro(na), is this life?’. I am one half of the podcast duo Ysquare Pod that I co-host with Yasmine Bilkis Ibrahim here in Freetown, Sierra Leone. In this episode we discuss the current Coron Virus pandemic here in Sierra Leone, our predictions of what life will be like post-COVID19, self care, challenges and more. Check out the rest of our content and I hope you either enjoy, relate or both to this episode.

Tuesday, 24 March 2020

Here is a timeline of events when it comes to the Corona
Virus and Sierra Leone. I live in Freetown, Sierra Leone and last week I shared on my socials the news that the government had suspended flights in and out of the country from 22 nd March 2020. As I shared this I got many
questions, mostly from the diaspora community asking where I was getting the
information from and if I would share anymore. It was at this moment I
remembered that Whatsapp only spreads so far and so wide (within your circles I
guess). Whatsapp is one of the most used social media platforms here in the city
of Freetown. There is a culture where most news circulate via Whatsapp, and to
make sure its verified information, imagery of the signed and official letters
are sent to confirm that the news or statement is in fact legit. So I’ve compiled all the information into a
week timeline of events starting from the 16th March because that is
the day many of us suddenly realised the seriousness of the Corona virus, the
date when a lot drastically changed throughout the day and overnight. Please
stay safe and remember to practice the prevention schemes like washing your
hands regularly and social distancing.

Here is a fresh update, it has been announced as of today (24th March) that Sierra Leone will be in a 'state of emergency' for twelve months.

Monday 16th
March 2020

A press release was released on this date in relation to
Covid19.

A state house press release from the government of Sierra
Leone on COVID19 stated the restriction
of public gatherings of more than over 100 persons. They also made the ban
of overseas travel for government officials on this day.

The President of Sierra Leone Julius Maada Bio calls the
team that headed for National Ebola Response Centre to come on board in efforts
to prevent the spread of Corona Virus to the nation.

- The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education also
recommended the following.

-Suspension of school assemblies and Devotion

-Suspension of Sporting Events and Thanksgivings.

-Hand washing stations in schools

-Monitoring of temperatures and isolating
children with high fever.

Brussel Airlines announced that they would be suspended flights
to and from Sierra Leone as of 21st March 2020.

This day was the day every anticipated social event in
Freetown was either officially cancelled or postponed.

Tuesday 17th
March 2020

Air France announced that they would be reducing their
flight capacity by 90% for the next two months due to the decline in demand and
increasing travel restrictions brought by the Corona Virus.

The Ministry of Health bans all sporting activities across
the country until further notice. Western Area Rural District Council (WARDC)
held an emergency council sitting this day with the Western Rural District
Health Medical team to put precautionary measures in place where they decided
on the following:

-Temporary ban on all public events and social
gatherings.

-Suspension of all crusades.

-Marriage receptions and parties banned.

-Suspension of all activities of secret societies
and traditional healers.

Sierra Leonean media personality and writer Vickie Remoe
releases a video to educate the masses on how to avoid catching Covid19 with
the practice of social distancing. #kiptoyusef

Wednesday 18th
March 2020

President Bio addressed the nation on public health and
safety measures for the Corona Virus in a live broadcast on SLBC TV.

A KQ Airways flight arrived at Lungi airport. There were
suspected Corona Virus cases on this flight. It was reported from health
sources in Monrovia and Freetown that one of a Japanese family of four on board
were symptomatic of Covid19 The flight KQ502 arrived at Lungi International
airport, authorities requested that all passengers on board should be
quarantined. Three passengers refused to be isolated and told officials that
they would rather return to where they came from.

The passengers that agreed to go through the quarantine
process complained that were put in bad conditions as the rooms at a Lungi
hotel were not to standard, lacked basic needs and maintenance.

The passengers on an Air Peace flight from Nigeria were also
requested by airport officials to be quarantined, however some passengers
question why this was as they were made to believed that you are only
quarantined if you are travelling from countries that have over 50 COVID19
cases.

Archdiocese of Freetown supported the decisions the
government had made thus far by releasing a statement reiterated what had been
told to the public, the limiting of public gatherings.

President Bio orders military intervention at Lungi
International airport to support compliance with all public health directives
and advisories on site.

Thursday 19th
March 2020

By Thursday the government of Sierra Leone announced the
suspension of winter operation permit effective. All flights in and out of the
country were to be suspended for ninety days effective from Sunday 22nd
March 2020. The Minister of Transport and Aviation, Mr Kabineh M. Kallon
addressed this to the country managers of all airlines that provide flights to
and from Sierra Leone. The only exception will be emergency flights.

Kenya Airways put on a position statement on the event of
the previous day where four passengers were denied entry upon arrival at
Freetown.

Health Minister Alpha Wurie encourages citizens to pray from
home and to avoid going to churches and mosques to protect the nation from
Corona Virus.

On this very day the Ministry of Transport and Aviation
unanimously agreed to implement the following to prevent the COVID19 spread:

Over loading in all public and private vehicles
is prohibited.

No standing, no middle seat allowed.

Commercial/private vehicles without ventilation
will not be allowed to ply.

All kekehs must reduce one passenger per seat.

Hand washing and temperature checks facilities
should be available at all Lorry, Bike and Kekeh parks and terminals.

Hand Sanitizer must be on board all public
transport vehicles

Stated by Deputy Minister of Transport and Aviation, Hon.
Sadiq Silla

The President admitted at a press conference that the
initial quarantine measures around the corona virus pandemic at the airport
could have been ‘handled better’ as the passengers who were quarantined from
countries with up to 50 cases or more complained that they under appalling
conditions as the hotels they were placed in for quarantine were ‘filthy and
lacked basic utilities’ according to Sierra Leonean BBC journalist Umaru Fofana.
They were later moved to a hotel in the capital city of Freetown, Hill Valley
Hotel. Which was a total risk, but that is a story for another day.

Freetown City Council’s education officer Rev. Joseph Cooper
stated in a public warning notice sent to all Head teachers that no injections
or vaccines should be given to schoolchildren during this period.

Friday 20th
March 2020

On the 20th of March 202 the West African
Examinations Council (WASSCE) announced the suspension of 202 WASSCE
examinations due to the severity of the Corona Virus. On this day the
government also announce the closure of mosques and churches until further
notice. It was later announced by the
Department of Education that all schools must close at the end of the month, 31st
March until further notice.

The Secretary of The Ministry of Social Welfare, Alfred
Lahai elaborated on the closures of places of worship in reference to the
suspension of the following days in churches and mosques:

Good Friday

Palm Sunday

Easter Sunday

Chief Administrator of Freetown City Council, Festus Kallay
gave an immediate release statement on ‘Freetown’s Preparedness in the event
of an outbreak of the Corona Virus Disease in Sierra Leone’. In the letter it
stated the following and more:

Market and street trading will be conducted
between 7am and 7pm.

All night trading to be suspended from 23rd
March 2020 with the exception of cooked food vendors who should close at 10pm
daily.

All business institutions in the municipality
are required to provide hand washing facilities and hand sanitizers at their
entrance.

Popular Freetown nightclub The Warehouse also announced that
from the 31st March they would temporarily close until the risk of
Covid19 subsides.

On this day VR&C Marketing let us know the stats that
thirteen people had been tested by this time. Sierra Leone currently has zero
cases Corona Virus.

One fifth of the world is currently on lockdown according to Channel 4 News.

Keep up the good work, government officials, workers, and
citizens of Sierra Leone.

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